Bird feeder
We invite you to make a bird feeder for your garden. Birds are a fundamental part of nature.
Eduardo Llamosa explains in his famous book that birds “Constitute a rich and important value in nature: they help on pollination and spread tree seeds, they offer us food that is high in protein, their waste work as natural fertilizer, which is appreciated by flora, and, at the same time, they act as pest control for rats and small insects which damage plantations. This, without setting aside the beauty of their singing and the color variety of their plumage on our nature”1.
On the other side, they are indicators of the deterio- ration of an ecosystem, at the moment that it suffers a change or shortage, they are the first to migrate to other places. “It is estimated that, in Yucatán, there are around 456 different bird species. Of them, 70% are permanent residents, and the rest are migratory species”2.
Photography: Pixabay.com
That is why their care and conservation, as part of our biological diversity, must be considered of great importance. Birds were an important part of Mayan culture. The known book “Popol Vuh”, on a variety of its passages, it exposes part of that sensibility towards the physical and behavioral qualities of these animals, which were the object of cultural processes. For example, between its pages remain the manifest of flying faculties when highlighting:
“You, bird will live in the trees and flight through the air, will reach the region of the clouds, the transparency of the sky, you won’t have fear of falling… and the birds made, between the branches their nests” 3.
Also, their importance is confirmed on the pictographic information obtained in amate paper sheets (type of bark paper that has been manufactured in Mexico since the precontact time) or inscribed on deerskin. In the so-called codices, there are around twelve recognized species. “Birds were related on a religious level with ritual characters, and also with the elements of nature: the heron is related with the rain god Chac, the buzzard as a celestial being related to rain and the deer was associated with corn cultivation” 3.
Pájarao Toh (Amazonian Motmot) Photography: Pexels.com
As always, we are inviting all our readers to take care of biodiversity. In the case of birds, it’s very simple because all of them are always in search of food, so today we are building a bird feeder. Some ideas for simple meals that can be left on the garden feeders are:
- Fresh or dehydrated fruit: Apple pieces, mango and cut pears so birds can eat them. Hanged or flipped coconut so it can be peck inside.
- Seeds: It’s pretty easy to find a bag seed mix in pet stores; nonetheless, you can also dry compost seeds of the kitchen and put them in the seeder. You can use birdseeds, sunflower seeds, corn, oat, among others.
- Bread: You can put it crumbled or com- plete. It’s important to wet it a little bit to avoid stomach distension.
- Food waste: Cooked eggs, cooked rice, cookie crumbs, and salads, among other food.
It is recommended not putting popcorn or anything too spicy nor too salty.
Plan: Ápiron
GET DOWN TO WORK!
Buying the materials:
Wood 5cm wide by 1 long, 1/2 inch steel nail, Screw with ring at the end to hang, white oakum, Jute rope or any other, simple wood saw, antiparasitic for wood, sealant varnish and hammer.
Materials
Photography: Ápiron
- Cut the pieces, one of 40cm, one of 20cm and one of 12cm.
Photography: Ápiron
- The three wood pieces.
Photography: Ápiron
- Lime the tips in case of finding sharp edges or splinters.
Photography: Ápiron
- Cut an angle of 30°, leaving it with 60° in the interior, in the 20cm piece, and the 12cm piece.
Photography: Ápiron
- Join the pieces with two nails per union, holding them with your hands. You could use someone else’s help for this step.
Photography: Ápiron
- Screw the screws manually with a ring on the tips of the module.
Photography: Ápiron
Hang the bird feeder with the jute rope or with a rope of other material that is light colored,, in the branch of your preference.
Place the birdseed or the chosen food in the long bar of the feeder and wait for the little birds!
Photography: Ápiron
